Pipe cleaning device



April 18, 1933. R. SMITH PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Filed May 27 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 18, 1933. v R SMITH 1,903,915

PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Filed May 27 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/wkn,

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Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAMSEY SMITH, F OAKRIDGE, ROATAN, HONDURAS PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Application filed May 27, 1932. Serial No. 613,961.

-My invention relates to apparatus for cleaning tobacco pipes.

An important object of the invention is to provide a reliable and simple means for holding the liquid cleaning composition, so that it may be properly stored, and rendered available for use, in a highly convenient manner.

A further object of the invention is to adapted for intimate co-action with the cleaning device, 'so that the cleaning device may be readily illed, in part or whole, withthe liquid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device which may be properly applied to the stem of the pipe, and pass or force the cleaning liquid through the pipe.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device which is so constructed that it is adapted for co-action with pipe stems of varying sizes.

Further objects and advantages of the in 'tion will be apparent during the course of the following description. v

In the accompanying drawings, forming a vpart of this speciiication, and in which like vnumerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a perspective view of arliquid holding device embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a cent-ral vertical longitudinal section through the same, parts broken.

away, t

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modiiied form of liquid holding device, parts in section and parts broken away,

Figure 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the same, parts omitted and o parts broken away.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the cleaning device, Y Figure 6 isa central vertical longitudinal section through the same, Y f

Figure 7 isa side V`levation of the cleaning device', applied to the stem of a'tobacco pipe, Y Figure 8 is an enlarged front end elevation oi the cleaning device, and,

Figure 9 is aside elevation of the combined holding device and cleaning device, showing oi material. This thin section of material is Y portion 14 of the tubular stem 12,and'hence,

Vthe manner in which the cleaning device is iilled with the cleaning liquid. 1

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose oi illustration, are'shown preferred embodil, e ments of-my invention, attention being called first to Figures 1 and2, the numeral 10 designates a receptacle or can, which is preferably cylindrical, and has its bottom closed. The top of this can is provided with a cover 11, having a fluid-tight lj oint therewith. The receptacle or can holds the cleaning liquid, which may be of any well known or preferred' composition. Such a cleaning liquid may well contain a solvent of nicotine.

Preferably formed integral with the cover '65 11 is 'a tubular stem 12, having the shape of a tobacco pipe stem, and provided at its ree end with a ilange or bit 13. The tubularV stem 12 is provided with a screw-threaded portion 14, at the free end of its bore. The outer or free end of the bore of the tubular stem is adapted to be closed 'by a screw-threaded plugv 15, adapted Jfor insertion within the screwthreaded portion 14 of the bore. This plug is preferably provided with a milled head 16, by vmeans `of* which it may be conveniently turned. A loop 17 is rotatably mounted upon the plug between the head 16 and an upper head 18, and this loop is attached to aiiexible element or cord 1.9, the opposite end of which 0 is attached to the cover 11, as shown at 20.

' The cover 11 is provided with a raised p0rtion 21, embodying avrelatively thin section adapted to have an aperture-22, formed therein by the pointed end 15 of the plug 15. When the receptacle is first placed upon the market, the thin metal 21 is imperforate, and the plug 15 is screwed into the screw-threaded the receptacle is completely closed; When it is desired to use the liquid cleaning composi tion, the plug 15 is removed from the stem 12 andits pointed end `15 is employed 1to form the aperture in the raised portion 21. This` will permit-of the proper withdrawal of lthe f cleaning composition from the receptacle,by the cleaning device, as will be'fully` explained.

In Figures 3 and 4,1 have shownV a modified form of holding device. This holding device embodies a receptacle or bottle 23, which may be formed of glass, or the like, and this bottle has a neck 25 having exterior screw threads 26.

A stopper 27, which may be formed of cork or other material, is adapted to be inserted Within the neck 25. This stopper has an opening formed therein for receiving the .lower end of a tubular stem 28, the upper portion of which, extends above the stopper 27, having the shape of a tobacco pipe stem. The tubular stem 28 has the usual ange or bit 29, and the free end portion of the bore of the stem is screw-threaded, as shown at 30. The stopper 27 also has an opening formed therein for receiving a vent tube 31. The tubular stem 28 and vent tube 31 have liquid-tight engagement with the stopper 27, as is obvious.

A screw-threaded plug 32, whichV may be identical with the plug 15, Figures 1 and 2, is adapted for insertion .within the screwthreaded portion 30. This plug is attached to a flexible element33, which is attached to the stopper 27. A cap 34 is removably mounted upon the mouth of the bottle and has a screw-threaded portion 35, to engage with the screw threads 26.

The cleaning device is illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive. This cleaning device embodies a tubular neck 36, formed of a stiff or rigid material, such as hard rubber, celluloid, metal, or the like. This tubular neck has a bore 37, which is elliptical in cross-section, Figure 8, so that it will correspond generally in shape to the stem of a tobacco pipe. The bore 37 is not only elliptical in cross-section, but is tapered and increases in transverse area, outwardly, as shown. Arranged Vwithin the tubular neck 36fis a sealing tube 38, formed of relatively soft elastic and compressible rubber, or like material. This sealing tube is also elliptical in cross-section, Figure 8, and its bore 39 is elliptical in cross-section, and this bore increases in cross-sectional area, outwardly. The sealing tube is provided at its inner end with an outwardly projecting flange 40, seated within a' groove 41, formed in the neck 36, and the contacting parts may be cemented together, if desired.

The numeral 42 designates a compressible and expansible bulb, formed of rubber, or the like, having a neck 43 provided with a flange or bead 44, and this flange or bead is inserted within an exterior groove 45, formed upon the neck 36, and the contacting parts may be comented together, if desired.

The numeral 46 designates'thebowl of the ,tobacco pipe, carried by the tubular body portion 47, to which is attached the stem 48, having the usual flange or bit 49.

In the use of the liquid holding device shown in Figures 1 and 2, for filling the cleaning.device,shown in Figures 5 to 9, in-

clusive, the plug 15 is removed from the screw-threaded portion 14 and its pointed end 15 is employed to punch the vent aperture 22. The cleaning device is now applied to the liquid holding device by inserting the tubular stem 12 into the sealing tube 38. The bit 13, upon being forced into the sealing tube, will expand the same and press the sealing tube against the rigid neck 36, forming a liquid-tight join-t. Prior to inserting the tubular neck 12 into the sealingtube 38, the bulb 42 is compressed, or collapsed, in whole or part. The receptacle 10 is then tilted, Figure 9, so that the liquid will iiow into the tubular neck 12. Upon releasing the compressed bulb 42, it will expand and will draw the liquid into such bulb, which is rendered possible by the vent aperture 22. The flow of liquid into the bulb may be regulated or stopped by covering the vent aperture 22 with the iinger, as illustrated in Figure 9. After a desired amount of liquid has entered the bulb, the cleaning device may be removed from the stem 12.

In a similar manner, the bulb 42 may be filled, in whole or part, with liquid from the bottle or receptacle 23.

After the bulb 42 has been filled, in whole vor part, with the cleaning liquid, thepstem -r48 of the tobacco pipe is inserted into the sealing tube 38, and forced therein a suitable distance for obtaining a wedging action, and expanding the sealing tube so that it is clamped against the rigid neck 36, thereby effecting a liquid-tight joint between the stem 48 and the sealing tube. The bulb 42 is now squeezed or compressed, so that the cleaning liquid is forced into the stem 48, and tubular portion 47. By manipulation of the bulb, the cleaning fluid may be drawn back and forth through these parts. After a desired cleaning action is had, the cleaning Huid may be forced through these parts and' through the bowl 46 of the pipe.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, p shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having fully described my invention, what' I claim is:

1. A tobacco pipe cleaning device, comprising a substantially rigid tubular neck having a tapered bore increasing in crosssectional area forwardly, said neck being provided near the contracted end of the tapered bore with exterior and interior circumferential rear end of the neck and'having a bead for insertion within the exterior groove, and a sealing tube arranged within the bore of the tubular neck, said sealing tube having a tapered bore increasing in cross-sectional area forwardly and formed of compressible rubber, said sealing tube being providedat and that-various changes in the grooves, a bulb receivingtheits rear end with an exterior circumferential flange for insertion within the interior c1rcumferential groove.

2. A tobacco pipe cleaning device, com-Y prising a rigid tubular neck having a bore which is uniformly tapered throughout its length and increases in cross-sectional area forwardly, a bulb secured to the rear end of the tubular neck, and a sealing tube formed of compressible rubber, and arranged within the tubular neck and having a bore which tapers uniformly throughout its entire length and increases in cross-sectional area forwardly, means for attaching the rear end of the sealing tube to the rear end of the neck and leaving the forward end of the sealing tube free, the sealing tube being adapted for receiving in its bore the stem of a tobacco pipe, the arrangement being such that the stem may expand the sealing tube and press the same into contact with the wall of the bore of the rigid neck thereby forming a proper union between the stem and sealing tube.

In testimony whereof, I aiix my signature.

RAMSEY SMITH. 

